Esther Lavona (Olin) Murray

EAST CONCORD, NH – Esther Lavona (Olin) Murray, 92, of East Concord, NH passed away August 6th, 2026 at home.

Esther, daughter of John and Mura (Fifield) Olin, was born on October 29th, 1933, fourth in line of 5 siblings growing up in East Sutton, NH. She graduated from Simmons Free High School in Warner, NH in 1951 and went to work in accounting. Through her brother Arnold, Esther met William (Bill) Merrick Murray, the brother of Arnold’s wife Jacquelyn. Bill and Esther were married in 1957 beginning a life together for 63 years before his passing in 2021.

Esther is survived by her 4 children, Brett W. Murray (Colleen) of Franklin, Reuben (Ben) (Andrei Yauseyeu) of Minneapolis, MN, Brenda D. Ciehoski (John – deceased) of Harvey’s Lake, PA and John O. Murray (Christine) of Salisbury, NH, and three grandchildren Stephanie D. Ciehoski of Fresno, CA, Jarod J. Ciehoski of Chase, PA and Meghan L. Murray of New Britain, CT. She is also survived by her sister Emily Evans of Warren, NH and Bill’s sister Ethel Acton of Plantation, FL, as well as many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces, nephews and their families.

Esther was very active with her neighborhood, faith, and 4-H communities in leadership roles throughout her life. Her homemade breads, dinner rolls and desert breads were sought after at the annual East Congregational Church fair. She was deeply involved with church committees and the Women’s Fellowship group for many years. Sewing and cooking skills were passed on to the next generations of youth as she led the local 4-H club members. Also, her participation with the East Concord Garden Club beautified the community for all. When her youngest John entered the 5th grade at the new Broken Ground Elementary School in 1974, Esther began as a volunteer in the school library, then was hired as the School Librarian, a job that aligned so well with her lifelong love of reading and from which she retired after 21 years in 1998. Throughout her life, Esther was independent and adventurous. She traveled to visit with family in New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Prince Edward Island, California, and Minnesota. When Ben’s job took him to Paris for several years, she applied for her passport and took French lesions for a visit with him in 1992 where they toured and dined in the City of Lights and Chateau region of the Loire Valley. She took many photos during her trip to France and with Storytelling as one of her passions, she returned to share her experiences with the children at the library.

Esther was part of the close-knit East Concord, Mountain Road community of young families in the 1960’s though 1980’s where childcare seemed to be a community responsibility. The open field at the Murray home was the community baseball field in the summer and flooded in winter for skating. It was a gathering point for so many kids in the neighborhood where Esther always kept a watchful eye.

It is Esther’s wish to have her cremated remains buried next to her husband in the “Merrick” lot of his maternal grandparents at the Pine Grove Cemetery in East Concord, NH.

SERVICES: A memorial service is planned for Friday, September 18th, 11am, at the East Congregational Church, 51 Mountain Road, East Concord, NH followed by graveside services.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Esther’s faith community of the East Congregational Church in East Concord www.eastchurchucc.org, Merrimack County 4-H Foundation, or the charity of your choice in Esther’s memory.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Boscawen. To view Esther's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net.